Ascension Texas acquisition will reopen Temple clinic

The acquisition paves the way for former King's Daughters Clinic in Temple to continue providing medical care for patients, after being closed since early December. Ascension Texas said it plans to reopen its newly-acquired clinics on Tuesday.

Author:
Nick Tarrant, Patrick Mueller, Bary Roy

Published:
8:34 AM CST January 4, 2019

Updated:
10:10 PM CST January 4, 2019

WACO, Texas — Ascension Texas has acquired medical providers and clinic locations that were formerly affiliated with Little River Healthcare in Central Texas, according to a press release sent Friday.

This allows the former King's Daughters Clinic in Temple to continue providing medical care for patients, after being closed since early December, according to the release.

The acquisition also includes specialty and primary-care clinic locations across Central Texas, like Georgetown, the release said.

The transitioning medical offices are scheduled to open on Tuesday, according to the release.

Hundreds of people returned to work Friday as a result of the purchase, and they said they started to acclimate to Ascensions' way of doing things.

"Give us a few more days and we will be back," Little River Healthcare Dr. Elizabeth Mattson said. "It's the same staff, same receptionists, same operators, same nurses, same doctors and the same good care."

The transaction will add more physicians, advanced practitioners and staff members to the company, which includes Seton Healthcare Family and Providence Healthcare Network, according to the release.

Little River Healthcare filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 24, according to court documents. The company later requested the case be converted to Chapter 7 on Nov. 30.

Mattson said at that time, the uncertainty of how to help her patients stressed her out.

"I was more worried about patients and staff trying to keep it as intact as possible," she said. "I think we do something a little unique compared to other clinics in the area in providing care and I didn't want the community to lose that."

Seton Clinical Enterprise chief operation officer Clayton Carsner said Ascension is excited to connect the markets, and be the leader in healthcare services in the entire Central Texas area.

“This strategy seamlessly connects Ascension Texas patient care from Austin to Waco," Carsner said. "This also allows us a platform to expand access and services to the community.”

Mattson said her plans are back on track after her reunion with Little River Healthcare.

"This was my first job out of residency," she said. "I've been here 22 years. I had always intended to retire from here, and quite frankly, a month ago I wasn't quite sure if that was going to happen."

Carsner said camaraderie is high at the clinic.

"It's just joy," he said. "I mean, you walk into the clinic and you realize how happy everyone is to be back together and really back to the commitment to provide services."